[SET]
name: Defensive Defog (Normal)
move 1: Defog
move 2: Roost
move 3: Brave Bird
move 4: U-turn
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Intimidate
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Defensive Staraptor is an excellent entry hazard remover and defensive pivot available for Normal teams because of its good bulk, Intimidate, and a typing that grants a key neutrality to Fighting-type attacks. Defog is key for removing otherwise troublesome entry hazards, notably Toxic Spikes, for Normal-type teams. Roost is important to keep Staraptor healthy, increasing its longevity and letting it perform its supportive roles throughout the match. Brave Bird is Staraptor's main form of dealing damage, hitting dangerous threats like Urshifu-S, Tapu Bulu, and Mega Venusaur super effectively. It also hits offensive Pokemon such as Greninja and Tapu Lele hard, meaning they can't switch in freely on Staraptor. U-turn rounds off the set, switching Staraptor out of unfavorable situations and maintaining valuable momentum for the team by bringing the team's offensive Pokemon onto the field safely. Staraptor should be used cautiously, as it is greatly appreciated to switch into Fighting-type attacks and constantly ward off entry hazards for the team. Maximum HP and Defense investment alongside an Impish nature maximizes Staraptor's natural bulk. Intimidate is needed to patch Staraptor's only average bulk by weakening physical attackers such as Buzzwole and Mimikyu, enabling it to comfortably switch in on them. Heavy-Duty Boots ignores Stealth Rock damage, letting Staraptor come in unscathed to use Defog.
All of Staraptor's teammates benefit from its defensive and supportive roles. Blissey appreciates Staraptor's ability to switch into threatening Fighting-types and physical attackers like Choice Scarf Terrakion and Rillaboom. In return, Blissey absorbs status for Staraptor by virtue of its Natural Cure, safely brings Staraptor onto the field via Teleport for it to remove entry hazards, can spread Toxic poison, and easily shrugs off powerful special assaults from the likes of Tapu Koko and Nidoking that check Staraptor. Porygon2's sheer bulk and great coverage permit it to check sweepers that use Staraptor as setup fodder, such as defensive Mega Scizor and Bisharp. In return, it greatly enjoys Staraptor's hazard removal so it can be brought onto the field intact and, therefore, wall a wider range of attackers. Similarly, Ditto is another good partner because it revenge kills most of the threats that use Staraptor as setup fodder, like Swords Dance Excadrill and Z-Belly Drum Azumarill. It also serves as a backup switch-in versus walls that can cripple Staraptor with forms of residual damage, such as Toxapex and Celesteela. Mega Lopunny checks troublesome Steel-, Rock-, and Ice-types like Aegislash, Tyranitar, and Mamoswine for Staraptor and greatly benefits from its access to a fast U-turn. Diggersby's sheer power enables it to break through defensive Pokemon such as Ferrothorn that Staraptor cannot bypass. It also has a valuable Electric immunity, meaning it can switch into predicted Electric-type attacks that target Staraptor. With its Ghost-type Z-Conversion set, Porygon-Z deals with annoying Pokemon like Jirachi and Galarian Corsola. Conversely, Porygon-Z loves Staraptor's support because that allows it to avoid chip damage from entry hazards and, therefore, pull off a sweep more easily. Mega Pidgeot takes pressure off of Staraptor by offensively checking Fighting-types and has a slot freed to run more effective moves thanks to Staraptor's access to Defog.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf (Normal)
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Double-Edge / Final Gambit
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Reckless / Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Staraptor's respectable offensive traits make it suitable as a Choice Scarf revenge killer that finds its place on offensively oriented Normal teams. Brave Bird is Staraptor's go-to attack, nailing Fighting-, Grass-, and Bug-types like Mega Gallade, Zarude, and Volcarona while inflicting hefty damage to frailer offensive Pokemon such as Latios and Blacephalon. Close Combat provides valuable coverage, hitting some of the Rock- and Steel-types that resist Brave Bird, like Tyranitar and Excadrill, hard. U-turn allows Staraptor to work as an offensive pivot, taking advantage of the switches it forces to generate momentum for the team. Complementing the set is Double-Edge, a secondary STAB move that has the primary function of heavily damaging Electric-types such as Rotom-W and Zeraora that resist Brave Bird. Alternatively, Final Gambit's sacrificing blow may be used instead to nuke defensive Pokemon like Toxapex and Skarmory in matchups Staraptor cannot typically leave its mark against with its other moves. Maximum Attack and Speed EVs guarantee Staraptor is as powerful and as fast as possible. Choice Scarf in conjunction with a Jolly nature enables Staraptor to outpace common Choice Scarf wielders such as Krookodile, Urshifu-R, and Excadrill as well as Mega Tyranitar after a Dragon Dance boost while Speed tying with Choice Scarf Victini and Volcarona after a Quiver Dance. Reckless is the best ability this set can have, letting Staraptor nab crucial KOs with a boosted Brave Bird or Double-Edge. However, Intimidate's utility against physical attackers is an option if the extra power isn't necessary and is the better choice alongside Final Gambit.
Stealth Rock setters like Smeargle and Blissey are paramount for offensive Staraptor to function better given the residual damage allows Staraptor to score crucial OHKOs against threats like Tapu Koko, Nidoking, and Zeraora. Particularly, Smeargle also sets Sticky Web, slowing down faster Choice Scarf users like Greninja and Terrakion for Staraptor, while Blissey can safely bring Staraptor onto the field via Teleport. Ditto and Staraptor make a very good revenge killing combination, both being able to outspeed and beat dangerous Pokemon like Dragon Dance Gyarados and Choice Band Urshifu-S, taking away pressure from each other. Ditto also switches in on certain walls that Staraptor cannot bypass, like Celesteela and Mandibuzz. Diggersby is a great companion for Staraptor because of its sheer power, which allows it to shatter defensive Pokemon Staraptor has trouble dealing with, such as Toxapex and Hippowdon. It has a valuable Electric immunity as well, enabling Staraptor to safely switch or pivot out of a predicted Electric-type attack. Mega Lopunny can check Steel- and Rock-types like Heatran, Ferrothorn, Magnezone, and Tyranitar, freeing Staraptor to spam its most powerful moves in the Fire, Grass, Electric, and Dark matchups. Similarly, Porygon-Z removes annoyances to Staraptor like Jirachi, Mega Slowbro, and Celesteela, with its Z-Conversion set. Mega Pidgeot forms a Flying-type spam core with offensive Staraptor, with the former beating physical walls like Skarmory and Ferrothorn and the latter removing special walls like Rotom-W and Mantine. It can also remove entry hazards with Defog, preserving Staraptor's durability. Indeedee-M beats threatening priority wielders that easily pick off Staraptor, like Mamoswine and Bisharp. Despite not doing this as reliably, Indeedee-F has Healing Wish to fully restore Staraptor's health late-game.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Normal
====
Close Combat or Toxic can be used over U-turn on the defensive set for Staraptor to either surprise one of the biggest threats to Normal teams in Bisharp or put opposing Pokemon on a timer. However, losing the ability to safely pivot is not desired; Blissey is a better Toxic user; and Close Combat's drawback forces Staraptor out more than often, draining much needed momentum. Bulky Staraptor may also hit certain Speed benchmarks to outspeed Adamant Breloom or Tapu Bulu; however, Staraptor usually wants the maximum bulk it can get to switch into powerful physically offensive Pokemon. A Choice Band set with an Adamant nature and Reckless powers up Staraptor to absurd levels, enabling it to break through specially defensive Celesteela and Mega Slowbro with its STAB moves. However, Staraptor's supportive capabilities are much more appreciated for bulkier Normal teams, and more offensive ones benefit more from Staraptor's revenge killing potential.
Checks and Counters
===================
Normal
====
**Status**: All status aliments greatly hamper Staraptor's roles in the match. Toxic poison puts Staraptor on a timer, meaning it cannot remove entry hazards or spam its recoil STAB moves as reliably. Burns make offensive Staraptor a liability while turning the defensive set into a passive duck. Last but not least, paralysis makes Staraptor's hazard removal less reliable and takes away its valuable Speed, forcing it to move last more often than not and, thus, take a hit first.
**Special Attackers**: Special attackers like Hydreigon and Latios easily bypass Staraptor because of its subpar Special Defense.
**Steel-types**: Despite fearing Close Combat from the offensive set, Steel-types like Excadrill and Duraludon resist Staraptor's Brave Bird and can, therefore, comfortably switch in on it. Bulkier ones like Aegislash and Celesteela deserve a special mention because they easily shrug off everything Staraptor throws at them and are able to heavily cripple it with Toxic and Leech Seed, respectively.
**Rock-types**: Rock-types like Mega Tyranitar and Nihilego resist Staraptor's STAB moves and can beat it with their Rock-type attacks. However, they must be wary of Close Combat inflicting sizable damage.
**Physical Wallbreakers**: Even though defensive Staraptor is considerably bulky when factoring in Intimidate, powerful physical wallbreakers like Choice Band Victini and Diggersby outspeed and can still 2HKO it after the Attack drop.
**Super Effective Coverage**: Super effective attacks from the likes of Tapu Koko, Greninja, and Mega Garchomp can KO Staraptor without much trouble.
**Setup Sweepers**: Certain setup sweepers like Mega Scizor and Z-Happy Hour Jirachi use Staraptor as setup fodder, being able to easily beat it once they rack up their boosts.
**Physical Walls**: Physical walls such as Hippowdon, Celesteela, and Galarian Corsola shrug off Staraptor's attacks with relative ease and can just recover their lost HP afterwards or cripple it with status moves.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Mateeus, 321991]]
- Normal analysis by: [[Mateeus, 321991]]
- Quality checked by: [[Maple, 473171], [maroon, 305839]]
- Grammar checked by: [[rabia, 336073]]
name: Defensive Defog (Normal)
move 1: Defog
move 2: Roost
move 3: Brave Bird
move 4: U-turn
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Intimidate
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Defensive Staraptor is an excellent entry hazard remover and defensive pivot available for Normal teams because of its good bulk, Intimidate, and a typing that grants a key neutrality to Fighting-type attacks. Defog is key for removing otherwise troublesome entry hazards, notably Toxic Spikes, for Normal-type teams. Roost is important to keep Staraptor healthy, increasing its longevity and letting it perform its supportive roles throughout the match. Brave Bird is Staraptor's main form of dealing damage, hitting dangerous threats like Urshifu-S, Tapu Bulu, and Mega Venusaur super effectively. It also hits offensive Pokemon such as Greninja and Tapu Lele hard, meaning they can't switch in freely on Staraptor. U-turn rounds off the set, switching Staraptor out of unfavorable situations and maintaining valuable momentum for the team by bringing the team's offensive Pokemon onto the field safely. Staraptor should be used cautiously, as it is greatly appreciated to switch into Fighting-type attacks and constantly ward off entry hazards for the team. Maximum HP and Defense investment alongside an Impish nature maximizes Staraptor's natural bulk. Intimidate is needed to patch Staraptor's only average bulk by weakening physical attackers such as Buzzwole and Mimikyu, enabling it to comfortably switch in on them. Heavy-Duty Boots ignores Stealth Rock damage, letting Staraptor come in unscathed to use Defog.
All of Staraptor's teammates benefit from its defensive and supportive roles. Blissey appreciates Staraptor's ability to switch into threatening Fighting-types and physical attackers like Choice Scarf Terrakion and Rillaboom. In return, Blissey absorbs status for Staraptor by virtue of its Natural Cure, safely brings Staraptor onto the field via Teleport for it to remove entry hazards, can spread Toxic poison, and easily shrugs off powerful special assaults from the likes of Tapu Koko and Nidoking that check Staraptor. Porygon2's sheer bulk and great coverage permit it to check sweepers that use Staraptor as setup fodder, such as defensive Mega Scizor and Bisharp. In return, it greatly enjoys Staraptor's hazard removal so it can be brought onto the field intact and, therefore, wall a wider range of attackers. Similarly, Ditto is another good partner because it revenge kills most of the threats that use Staraptor as setup fodder, like Swords Dance Excadrill and Z-Belly Drum Azumarill. It also serves as a backup switch-in versus walls that can cripple Staraptor with forms of residual damage, such as Toxapex and Celesteela. Mega Lopunny checks troublesome Steel-, Rock-, and Ice-types like Aegislash, Tyranitar, and Mamoswine for Staraptor and greatly benefits from its access to a fast U-turn. Diggersby's sheer power enables it to break through defensive Pokemon such as Ferrothorn that Staraptor cannot bypass. It also has a valuable Electric immunity, meaning it can switch into predicted Electric-type attacks that target Staraptor. With its Ghost-type Z-Conversion set, Porygon-Z deals with annoying Pokemon like Jirachi and Galarian Corsola. Conversely, Porygon-Z loves Staraptor's support because that allows it to avoid chip damage from entry hazards and, therefore, pull off a sweep more easily. Mega Pidgeot takes pressure off of Staraptor by offensively checking Fighting-types and has a slot freed to run more effective moves thanks to Staraptor's access to Defog.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf (Normal)
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Double-Edge / Final Gambit
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Reckless / Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Staraptor's respectable offensive traits make it suitable as a Choice Scarf revenge killer that finds its place on offensively oriented Normal teams. Brave Bird is Staraptor's go-to attack, nailing Fighting-, Grass-, and Bug-types like Mega Gallade, Zarude, and Volcarona while inflicting hefty damage to frailer offensive Pokemon such as Latios and Blacephalon. Close Combat provides valuable coverage, hitting some of the Rock- and Steel-types that resist Brave Bird, like Tyranitar and Excadrill, hard. U-turn allows Staraptor to work as an offensive pivot, taking advantage of the switches it forces to generate momentum for the team. Complementing the set is Double-Edge, a secondary STAB move that has the primary function of heavily damaging Electric-types such as Rotom-W and Zeraora that resist Brave Bird. Alternatively, Final Gambit's sacrificing blow may be used instead to nuke defensive Pokemon like Toxapex and Skarmory in matchups Staraptor cannot typically leave its mark against with its other moves. Maximum Attack and Speed EVs guarantee Staraptor is as powerful and as fast as possible. Choice Scarf in conjunction with a Jolly nature enables Staraptor to outpace common Choice Scarf wielders such as Krookodile, Urshifu-R, and Excadrill as well as Mega Tyranitar after a Dragon Dance boost while Speed tying with Choice Scarf Victini and Volcarona after a Quiver Dance. Reckless is the best ability this set can have, letting Staraptor nab crucial KOs with a boosted Brave Bird or Double-Edge. However, Intimidate's utility against physical attackers is an option if the extra power isn't necessary and is the better choice alongside Final Gambit.
Stealth Rock setters like Smeargle and Blissey are paramount for offensive Staraptor to function better given the residual damage allows Staraptor to score crucial OHKOs against threats like Tapu Koko, Nidoking, and Zeraora. Particularly, Smeargle also sets Sticky Web, slowing down faster Choice Scarf users like Greninja and Terrakion for Staraptor, while Blissey can safely bring Staraptor onto the field via Teleport. Ditto and Staraptor make a very good revenge killing combination, both being able to outspeed and beat dangerous Pokemon like Dragon Dance Gyarados and Choice Band Urshifu-S, taking away pressure from each other. Ditto also switches in on certain walls that Staraptor cannot bypass, like Celesteela and Mandibuzz. Diggersby is a great companion for Staraptor because of its sheer power, which allows it to shatter defensive Pokemon Staraptor has trouble dealing with, such as Toxapex and Hippowdon. It has a valuable Electric immunity as well, enabling Staraptor to safely switch or pivot out of a predicted Electric-type attack. Mega Lopunny can check Steel- and Rock-types like Heatran, Ferrothorn, Magnezone, and Tyranitar, freeing Staraptor to spam its most powerful moves in the Fire, Grass, Electric, and Dark matchups. Similarly, Porygon-Z removes annoyances to Staraptor like Jirachi, Mega Slowbro, and Celesteela, with its Z-Conversion set. Mega Pidgeot forms a Flying-type spam core with offensive Staraptor, with the former beating physical walls like Skarmory and Ferrothorn and the latter removing special walls like Rotom-W and Mantine. It can also remove entry hazards with Defog, preserving Staraptor's durability. Indeedee-M beats threatening priority wielders that easily pick off Staraptor, like Mamoswine and Bisharp. Despite not doing this as reliably, Indeedee-F has Healing Wish to fully restore Staraptor's health late-game.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Normal
====
Close Combat or Toxic can be used over U-turn on the defensive set for Staraptor to either surprise one of the biggest threats to Normal teams in Bisharp or put opposing Pokemon on a timer. However, losing the ability to safely pivot is not desired; Blissey is a better Toxic user; and Close Combat's drawback forces Staraptor out more than often, draining much needed momentum. Bulky Staraptor may also hit certain Speed benchmarks to outspeed Adamant Breloom or Tapu Bulu; however, Staraptor usually wants the maximum bulk it can get to switch into powerful physically offensive Pokemon. A Choice Band set with an Adamant nature and Reckless powers up Staraptor to absurd levels, enabling it to break through specially defensive Celesteela and Mega Slowbro with its STAB moves. However, Staraptor's supportive capabilities are much more appreciated for bulkier Normal teams, and more offensive ones benefit more from Staraptor's revenge killing potential.
Checks and Counters
===================
Normal
====
**Status**: All status aliments greatly hamper Staraptor's roles in the match. Toxic poison puts Staraptor on a timer, meaning it cannot remove entry hazards or spam its recoil STAB moves as reliably. Burns make offensive Staraptor a liability while turning the defensive set into a passive duck. Last but not least, paralysis makes Staraptor's hazard removal less reliable and takes away its valuable Speed, forcing it to move last more often than not and, thus, take a hit first.
**Special Attackers**: Special attackers like Hydreigon and Latios easily bypass Staraptor because of its subpar Special Defense.
**Steel-types**: Despite fearing Close Combat from the offensive set, Steel-types like Excadrill and Duraludon resist Staraptor's Brave Bird and can, therefore, comfortably switch in on it. Bulkier ones like Aegislash and Celesteela deserve a special mention because they easily shrug off everything Staraptor throws at them and are able to heavily cripple it with Toxic and Leech Seed, respectively.
**Rock-types**: Rock-types like Mega Tyranitar and Nihilego resist Staraptor's STAB moves and can beat it with their Rock-type attacks. However, they must be wary of Close Combat inflicting sizable damage.
**Physical Wallbreakers**: Even though defensive Staraptor is considerably bulky when factoring in Intimidate, powerful physical wallbreakers like Choice Band Victini and Diggersby outspeed and can still 2HKO it after the Attack drop.
**Super Effective Coverage**: Super effective attacks from the likes of Tapu Koko, Greninja, and Mega Garchomp can KO Staraptor without much trouble.
**Setup Sweepers**: Certain setup sweepers like Mega Scizor and Z-Happy Hour Jirachi use Staraptor as setup fodder, being able to easily beat it once they rack up their boosts.
**Physical Walls**: Physical walls such as Hippowdon, Celesteela, and Galarian Corsola shrug off Staraptor's attacks with relative ease and can just recover their lost HP afterwards or cripple it with status moves.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Mateeus, 321991]]
- Normal analysis by: [[Mateeus, 321991]]
- Quality checked by: [[Maple, 473171], [maroon, 305839]]
- Grammar checked by: [[rabia, 336073]]
Last edited:
sucks)
